Ball retriever

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for retrieving balls from the surface of a practice field has a means for diverting balls spread over the field to a pair of spaced rotating discs carrying elastomeric projections therebetween and adapted to pick up the balls and rotate them to an elevated position where they are discharged into a suitable container. The retriever is provided with an apparatus for propelling it over the ground having a motor elevated above the drive wheels of the apparatus and connected to the drive wheels through sprocket and pulley wheels adapted to be engaged and disengaged by means of a toggle joint and a manually actuated lever accessible to the operator of the apparatus.

United States Patent 1191 Gustafson et a1.

1111"v 3,823,838 1451 July 16,1974

[ BALL RETRIEVER [22] Filed: Sept. 12, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 288,263

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1971 Reeves 214/356 X 12/1971 Gustafson 214/356 Primary Examiner-Albert J. Makay Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clelle W. Upchurch [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for retrieving balls from the surface of a practice field has a means for diverting balls spread over the field to a pair of spaced rotating discs carrying elastomeric projections therebetween and adapted to pick up the balls and rotate them to an elevated position where they are discharged into a suitable container. The retriever is provided with an apparatus for propelling it over the ground having a motor elevated above the drive wheels of the apparatus and connected to the drive wheels through sprocket and pulley wheels adapted to be engaged and disengaged by means of a toggle joint and a manually actuated lever accessible to the operator of the apparatus.

8 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJUU 51914 'SHEH b 0F 8 FIG.14

PATENTEU JUL 1 6 1914 SHEEI 5 OF 8 DIRECTION OF TRAVEL sum 8 088 FIG. 12"

BALL RETRIEVER This invention relates generally to an apparatus for retrieving balls lying on the ground and more particularly to such an apparatus having an improved means for propelling it over the ground.

The apparatus used heretofore to retrieve golf balls from the surface of a driving range or practice field have been provided with a plurality of rotatable discs for lifting the balls from the ground. Such an apparatus has the disadvantage of frequently pressing the balls into the ground. One ball retrieving apparatus which avoids this disadvantage is disclosed in our US. Pat. No. 3,630,401. This apparatus is adapted to divert balls laterally on the ground and into position aligned with a wheel assembly which receives and lifts the balls and delivers them into a basket. Such an apparatus'combined with a means for propelling it over the ground is disclosed in our US. Pat. No. 3,664,532. The disclosed propelled apparatus has been found to be advantageous for use in recovering golf balls at most golf driving ranges but it has the disadvantage that dirt and grass sometimes accumulate in the motor and drive mechanism.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide FIG. 11 is a side elevation, partially in section, showing the drive mechanism in disengaged or park position;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11, but with the drive mechanism shown engaged in drive position;

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the wheel support and drive mechanism taken on line 13l3 of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken on line 14-14 of FIG. 11 showing means to releasably retain the drive control lever in park position.

Referring to the drawing and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 8, a first elongated plate 10 is supported at its forward end by a castor type wheel 11. A second elongated plate 12 is supported by castor wheel 14. Plate 12 is disposed at an acute angle with respect to plate 10 so that plates 10 and 12 converge in proceeding rearwardly. Plate 10 carries a bar 16 which extends therealong and, as shown in FIG. 2, above plate 10 to prevent balls from bouncing over the upper edge of plate 10. A similar'bar 17 is carried by plate 12.

Plates 10 and 12 are adapted to be supported with their lower edges closely adjacent the surface of a practice field and to divert the balls laterally as the assembly an apparatus for retrieving golf balls from the ground having an improved means for moving it over the ground. Another object of the invention is to provide a ball retriever with a ball gathering means which follows the contour of the practice field and diverts the balls laterally to a position in front of the drive wheels and into a device for lifting the balls from the ground and depositing them in'a basket or the like in combination with an improved means for moving the apparatus over the ground. Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved power source for the drive wheels of an apparatus adapted to retrieve golf balls from the surface of a driving range or the like.

Other objects will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a retrieving device adapted to be combined with the novel drive mechanism provided by the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the device of FIG. 1;,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the frame and the support for one of the wheels at the rear of the retriever;

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged fragmentary view, partially in section, of a preferred embodiment of resilient projections used in the pick-up mechanism of the retriever;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of one of the rear wheels of the retriever with portions broken away to illustrate the stationary disc member;

FIG. 7 is a section taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of one embodiment of a ball gathering means with an improved means for propelling it over the ground;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the embodiment of FIG.

moves forwardly to an area indicated at 18 in FIG. 1. In order to prevent the escape of balls under the lower edges of the plates 10 and 12, a plurality of strap mem bers 19 (FIG. 3) are mounted on the plates for pivoting movements. The straps are adapted to swing downwardly and serve to bar the escape of balls under the lower edges of the plates 10 and '12. The straps 19 each have an arcuate shaped rear end portion 15 which act to deflect the balls inwardly from the associated plate.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, two gathering arrangements are illustrated and such assembly provides structure which is supported at its rear end for rolling movement by two wheels which also form parts of devices for liftingthe balls. Another plate 20 is supported at its forward end by the castor type wheel 21. A diverging plate 22 is supported at its forward end by the wheel 14. The plate 20 is equipped with an overhanging bar 24 and a similar overhanging bar 26 is carried by the plate 22.

Theplate 10 is mounted for pivoting movement on a frame element 28 by means of a bolt 27. The plate 20 is similarly mounted on a frame element 29 to pivot about a bolt 31. Thus the forward ends of the plate 10 may swing upwardly or downwardly so that the lower edge thereof follows the terrain of a practice field. The forward end of the plate 20 may swing upwardly or downwardly so that the lower edge follows the ground contour. The hinge action takes place about the axis of the bolts 27 and 31. The forward portions of the gathering mechanism is connected by rods 33 and which join'brackets'carried by the forward end portions of the plates 10 and 20. The axis of the end portion 36 of the rod 33 is aligned ,with the axis of the bolt 31 as'indicated by the line 30. The axis of the end portion 37 of .the rod 34 is similarly aligned with the axis of the bolt 27. If the turf over which the central or forward portion of the assembly moves is low, the wheel 14 will follow the terrain so that the central portion of the ball gathering structure may follow the contour of the ground. The hinge action takes place at the bolts 27 and 31 and at the connections 36 and 37 for the rods 33 and 34. A tongue 41 may be provided along with braces 42 and 104 of a propelling device provided by this invention.

The frame elements 28 and 29 are connected by transverse bars 51 and 52. These bars provide connection means for the rear portion of the gathering mechanisms and provide means for supporting two receptacles 56 and 57. A wheel indicated at 61 is provided for supporting the rear portion of one ball gathering structure and a similar wheel 62 is provided for supporting the rear portion of the other ball gathering structure.

The structure of each rear wheel and the associated members for lifting the balls and delivering them into the receptacles 56 and 57 will best be understood from consideration of FIGS. 5 to 8. A disc member 64 is mounted on the frame 29 in fixed relationship thereto by means which includes a cap screw 66 (FIG. 4). The disc 64 carries a shaft 67. The shaft 67 provides a journal for the wheel 61. The wheel 61 thus supports one rear portion of the ball gathering means for rolling movement. The wheel 61 is maintained in spaced relationship from the disc 64 by an end surface 65 of the disc 64 which supports the shaft 67. A helical spring 68 surrounds the shaft 67 as shown in FIG. 1 and urges th wheel 61 towards the disc 64.

The disc associated with the other rear wheel 62 is indicated at 74. This disc, along with the disc 64, carries a series of resilient projections 69 which extend laterally from the face thereof. A notch 71 (FIG. 7) is provided in each disc approximately at the 12 oclock position. The inner lateral face of each wheel 61 and 62 carries resilient lateral projections 72. These projections extend toward those carried by the associated disc. A cam 73 is carried by each disc adjacent the notch 71 therein. The wheels 61 and 62 provide support for rolling movement at the rear of the ball gathering structure and cooperate with the discs 64 and 74 for lifting and delivering the balls into the receptacles 56 and 57.

The resilient projections 69 carried by discs 62 and 64 should have a configuration similar to that illustrated in FIG. 5A for best results. These projections should be greater in cross-section at their bases than at their exposed ends. The illustrated embodiment has a cylindrical body portion and a frusto-conical base adjacent to the rubber disc which carries them. The useful life of such projections 69 made from silicone rubber is many times that of projections of the same material and similar to the configuration of those of FIG. 5. It is to be understood, that other configurations such as theone shown in FIG. 5 are contemplated but projections of the configuration shown in FIG. 5A are preferred.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 through 14, a pair of ball retrievers similar to the one illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8 is shown connected to the novel power means provided by the invention. A rectangular frame 105 is formed by welding together angle iron side members and front and back cross-members. An elongated strut 104 is secured at its rear end to the rear cross-member of the frame and extends forwardly of the front cross-member of the frame.

A U-shaped strut 103 is secured to elongated strut 104 by strap 102 welded at each end to strut 104. A plate 101 rests on and is secured to the upper surface of strut 104 and serves as a 'mount for internal combustion engine 100.

A seat 111 for the operator is supported by intermediate cross bars 107 and 108 welded at its ends to the side members of the frame 105.

A sleeve 116 is rigidly affixed to the forward free end of the strut 104 and extends upwardly therefrom. A front steerable wheel 117 is mounted for rotation on an axle pin 118 which is supported by the free ends of an inverted U-shaped bracket 119. The bracket 119 is provided with an upstanding pin 120 which is joumaled for rotation in the sleeve 116. A beveled pinion gear 121 is secured to the upper end of the pin 120. The steerable wheel 117 is manipulated by a steering wheel 122 which is operatively connected to the front wheel 117 by a rod 123 and a gear 124 which meshes with the pinion gear 121. The steering rod 123 is supported by bracket 124A and post 125 which extend upwardly from the strut 104.

I In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 12, two ball gathering devices having two pairs of containers 56 and 57 and 56A and 57A are designated generally as 126 and 127 and are disposed between wheel 117 and rear wheels 112 and 113. Plates 20 and 20A may be supported at their forward ends by only one castor wheel, (not shown) and may be joined near the rear end thereof by an angle iron cross-bar 128.

A bar 129 extends forwardly from the sleeve 116 in alignment with the strut 104 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. A link 130 is pivotally supported at the free forward end of bar 129 by means of a pin 131. A tie rod 42 extends from one-end of the link 130 to rod 33 and a tie rod 43 extends from one end of link 130 to rod 34A. The bar 129, link 130, and the tie rods 42 and 43 com bine with strut 104 to transmit the thrust'provided by the power unit to the ball gathering and retrieving devices 126 and 127.

A sheet metal pan may be provided to protect the operators feet.

A hand actuatable lever 136 is pivotally secured by a bolt 145 to abracket 89 secured to strut 104 and is pivotally attached at its lower end to an elongated push-pull bar 137 by pin 97. A cam lock 138 (FIG. 14) is secured to post 125 and cooperates with spring 140 on bolt to prevent inadvertent movement of lever 136. The rear end of bar 137 is pivotally secured to the ends of straps 141 and 142 by pin 144 to form atoggle joint. The opposite end of bar 141 is secured to adjusting bolt 143. Bolt 143 is secured to the frame.

Laterally spaced angle iron bars 148 and 149 are secured by welding or the like to cross-bar 150 to form a three sided rectangularly shaped sub-frame.

The area above the seat 111 is enclosed by an open mesh cage 98 to protect the operator. The drive wheels 112 and 113 are secured to axles 114 and 115, respectively, for rotation therewith. A conventional differential 106 operatively connects axles 114 and 115 together.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, a sleeve 172 carries roller bearings 173 and 174 in its bore about axle 114. A flange 190 welded to the end of U-shaped strut 103 is bolted to a similar flange 191 welded to sleeve 172. A sleeve carries similar bearings and encloses axle 115 in its bore. U-shaped strut 103 is flanged and bolted to a flange welded to sleeve 175. The forward end of bar 148 has a collar 151 which rotates about sleeve 172. A similar collar 177 on bar 149 is pivotally secured about sleeve 175. Springs 153 and 153A extend between brackets 154 and 154A and the rear cross-member of frame 105 to assist in the support of the sub-frame. A finger 158 carried by the sub-frame projects upwardly to stop movement of elongated bar 137 rearwardly. One end of strap 142 of the toggle joint is pivotally secured by pin 160 to bracket 155 carried by bar 150. The toggle joint provides a knee-action for the drive system of the apparatus.

Bearings 161 and 161A are secured to bars 148 and 149, respectively. A pulley wheel 162 is secured to a shaft 163 journaled in bearing 161. A sprocket wheel 164 is secured against relative rotation to shaft 163. A

break pad 165 is supported by bracket 166 which is secured to engine plate 101 and prevents rotation of pulley wheel 162 when it is disposed against it as illustrated in FIG. 11. A pulley wheel 167 is fixed on shaft 168 of the. motor 100 for rotation therewith. A double belt 169 is looped about wheels 162 and 167. A sprocket wheel 170 is secured to axle 115 for rotation therewith. A sprocket chain 171 is operatively looped about sprocket wheels 164 and 170.

In order to actuate the drive mechanism from the park position illustrated in FIG. 11 to the drive position illustrated in FIG. 12, the operator moves lever 136 horizontally away from post 125 to a point where the lever 136 can be moved forwardly beyond cam 138. The lever 136 is then moved to the position shown in FIG. 12. Movement of lever 136 moves elongated bar 137' and spreads straps 141 and 142 of the toggle joint until finger 158 stops further horizontal movement of bar 137. Bars 148 and 149 are pivoted downwardly carrying pulley wheel 162 with them until belt 169 is tightened and pulley 162 is rotated by pulley 167. Rotation of pulley 162 causes rotation of sprocket wheels 164 and 170. Differential 106 is driven and drive wheels 112 and 113 are rotated.

To stop forward travel, the operator pulls lever 136 back to the position shownin FIG. 11 and spring 140 (FIG. 14) pushes lever 136 behind cam 138 to lock it in place. Elongated bar 137 is moved forwardly and strap 142 lifts bars 148, 149 and 150 to a position where pulley wheel 162 engages brake 165 and belt 169 is so slack that pulley wheel 162 is not rotated.

A wire mesh cover 185 may be provided for motor 100. In the embodiment shown in the drawing (FIG.- hinges 186 are provided to facilitate removing the cover 185 from around the motor 100 for servicing.

As is apparent from the foregoing and from the drawing, the apparatus provides a gathering means which is pulled by the forward end of strut 104 in front of drive wheels 112 and 113 so balls lying on the ground are picked up before they can be pressed in the ground by the drive wheels. The motor is in an elevated position so dirt and the like which may be stirred up by movement of the gathering means and of wheels 112 and 113 over the ground is not thrown into the motor to accumulate on moving parts thereof. The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 14 has two ball gathering units of the type illustrated in detail in FIGS. 1 to 8 and may provide a means for picking up balls from a strip of ground as wide as 26 feet or more. It is, of course, contemplated that only one unit 126 or 127 may be used if it is desired to gather balls only from a narrower strip.

In such a case, tongue 41 may be eliminated and tie rods 42 and 43 (FIG. 1) may be attached to link 130. As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, plates 10, 12, and may be bent along a longitudinal axis to form an integral inwardly extending top flange instead of providing a separate bar 16. I

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration such detail is solely for that purpose and variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention except as it may be limited by the claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An apparatus for retrieving balls lying on the ground comprising a pair of drive wheels, a steering wheel, an elongated strut extending forwardly of said drive wheels, a third wheel pivotally mounted near the forward end of said strut, means connecting said third wheel with said steering wheel, ball collecting means independently supported forwardly of said drive wheels, means for pivotally connecting the ball collecting means to the forward end of the strut whereby the ball collecting means is pulled in front of the drive wheels as the apparatus moves forwardly over the ground and follows the path of the third wheel as it turns about a vertical axis in response to the steering wheel, and means for rotating the drive wheels comprising a motor having a shaft'carrying a first pulley wheel, a second pulley wheel operatively connected for rotation with a first sprocket wheel, a belt looped about the pulley wheels, a second sprocket wheel connected for rotation with a drive wheel, a sprocket chain looped about said sprocket wheels, means for moving the second pulley wheel relative to the first pulley wheel to alternately dispose the belt about the pulley wheels in operative and inoperative'positions, and means for stopping rotation of the second pulley wheel while the belt is in an inoperative position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for moving the second pulley wheel comprises an elongated bar pivotally secured at one end to a lever actuatable by hand by said apparatus, two straps pivotally joined to each other and to the other end of said elongated bar to form a toggle joint, a pair of bars each pivotally mounted about an axle at one end thereof and joined at the opposite ends by a cross-bar, said second pulley wheel being journaled in a bearing fixedly secured toone of said pair of bars, one of said straps of the toggle joint being attached to one of said pair of bars, and the other of said straps being secured to the frame, and means for stopping longitudinal movement of said elongated bar to prevent pivoting of the said pair of straps beyond the point where they are aligned end to end one with the other.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said motor is supported at an elevated position relative to the drive wheels and said second pulley wheel and said means for. moving the said second pulley comprises a lever having an end with a handle and a lower end, said handle end being adjacent said steering wheel, said leverv being piv- I oted between its said ends to a bracket carried by the said elongated strut, an elongated bar pivotally secured at its forward end to the lower end of the lever, a pair of straps pivotally secured to said bar adjacent its rear end to form a toggle joint, and pivoting means for moving said second pulley wheel towards and away from the first pulley wheel attached to one of said straps whereby movement of the said lever forwardly moves the elongated bar rearwardly, opens the toggle joint and moves the second pulley wheel until the belt about the pulley wheels transmits the rotative force of the first to the second pulley wheel.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the said pivoting means for moving the second pulley wheel comprises a lever pivotally secured forwardly of the toggle joint and pivotally secured to one of the straps of the toggle joint.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said ball collecting means comprises a frame including plates which diverge from each other in proceeding forwardly, wheels supporting the forward ends of the plates, a rear wheel supporting the rear end of said frame, a disc member carried by said frame adjacent said rear wheel, said plates being positioned for guiding balls into a space between the disc and said rear wheel, resilient projections carried by a side face of the rear wheel confronting said disc, said disc having resilient projections confronting the resilient projections on the rear wheel, said disc having an opening in the upper peripheral portion, a receptacle carried by the frame adjacent said disc, and a cam between the disc and the wheel for defleeting balls into the receptacle.

6. In apparatus for retrieving balls from the ground according to claim 5 including strap members mounted for hinged movement on said plates for engaging the ground.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 having an enclosure comprising a cage disposed upwardly above the steering wheel and a floor pan for protecting an operator of the apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 having a wire mesh cover for the motor. 

1. An apparatus for retrieving balls lying on the ground comprising a pair of drive wheels, a steering wheel, an elongated strut extending forwardly of said drive wheels, a third wheel pivotally mounted near the forward end of said strut, means connecting said third wheel with said steering wheel, ball collecting means independently supported forwardly of said drive wheels, means for pivotally connecting the ball collecting means to the forward end of the strut whereby the ball collecting means is pulled in front of the drive wheels as the apparatus moves forwardly over the ground and follows the path of the third wheel as it turns about a vertical axis in response to the steering wheel, and means for rotating the drive wheels comprising a motor having a shaft carrying a first pulley wheel, a second pulley wheel operatively connected for rotation with a first sprocket wheel, a belt looped about the pulley wheels, a second sprocket wheel connected for rotation with a drive wheel, a sprocket chain looped about said sprocket wheels, means for moving the second pulley wheel relative to the first pulley wHeel to alternately dispose the belt about the pulley wheels in operative and inoperative positions, and means for stopping rotation of the second pulley wheel while the belt is in an inoperative position.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for moving the second pulley wheel comprises an elongated bar pivotally secured at one end to a lever actuatable by hand by said apparatus, two straps pivotally joined to each other and to the other end of said elongated bar to form a toggle joint, a pair of bars each pivotally mounted about an axle at one end thereof and joined at the opposite ends by a cross-bar, said second pulley wheel being journaled in a bearing fixedly secured to one of said pair of bars, one of said straps of the toggle joint being attached to one of said pair of bars, and the other of said straps being secured to the frame, and means for stopping longitudinal movement of said elongated bar to prevent pivoting of the said pair of straps beyond the point where they are aligned end to end one with the other.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said motor is supported at an elevated position relative to the drive wheels and said second pulley wheel and said means for moving the said second pulley comprises a lever having an end with a handle and a lower end, said handle end being adjacent said steering wheel, said lever being pivoted between its said ends to a bracket carried by the said elongated strut, an elongated bar pivotally secured at its forward end to the lower end of the lever, a pair of straps pivotally secured to said bar adjacent its rear end to form a toggle joint, and pivoting means for moving said second pulley wheel towards and away from the first pulley wheel attached to one of said straps whereby movement of the said lever forwardly moves the elongated bar rearwardly, opens the toggle joint and moves the second pulley wheel until the belt about the pulley wheels transmits the rotative force of the first to the second pulley wheel.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the said pivoting means for moving the second pulley wheel comprises a lever pivotally secured forwardly of the toggle joint and pivotally secured to one of the straps of the toggle joint.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said ball collecting means comprises a frame including plates which diverge from each other in proceeding forwardly, wheels supporting the forward ends of the plates, a rear wheel supporting the rear end of said frame, a disc member carried by said frame adjacent said rear wheel, said plates being positioned for guiding balls into a space between the disc and said rear wheel, resilient projections carried by a side face of the rear wheel confronting said disc, said disc having resilient projections confronting the resilient projections on the rear wheel, said disc having an opening in the upper peripheral portion, a receptacle carried by the frame adjacent said disc, and a cam between the disc and the wheel for deflecting balls into the receptacle.
 6. In apparatus for retrieving balls from the ground according to claim 5 including strap members mounted for hinged movement on said plates for engaging the ground.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 having an enclosure comprising a cage disposed upwardly above the steering wheel and a floor pan for protecting an operator of the apparatus.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 having a wire mesh cover for the motor. 